A Gift of Grace (9 page)

“Really?” Lindsay’s eyes glittered with awe. “How romantic! It sounds like a love story from a movie or book.”

Rebecca chuckled at her excitement. She was so innocent and so sweet. “Your dad pursued your mom and refused to take no for an answer. It took him about six months, but he finally convinced her to go with him. It was a very difficult decision for her to make, since her only immediate family left was your grandfather and me.”

“How did my grandfather react?”

Rebecca shook her head as the memories replayed in her mind’s eye as if it were only yesterday. She could still see
Dat’s
face turning as red as a tomato and his brown eyes smoldering when he told her that if she walked through that door to go with the Englisher, she was never welcome in his house again. He said if Grace left the church, she would be dead to him and would no longer be his daughter.

A frown overtook Rebecca’s lips. She couldn’t tell Lindsay those words; they would hurt her too much.

“He was furious,” Rebecca whispered. “Your poor mother tried to explain she felt like she belonged somewhere else. She believed God had a different plan for her than He did for me. But
Dat
wouldn’t listen. He told her she was no longer his child.”

Lindsay’s eyes filled with tears. “How could he treat his daughter that way?”

Rebecca sighed. “He was a tough man. I think he believed he was doing the right thing. Our community believes in shunning a member out of love in order to encourage them to come back into the Faith. But it didn’t work with Grace. Her mind was made up. She left and didn’t come back until
Dat’s
funeral.”

A lump formed in her throat at the memory of the loss she experienced the day her sister left. The wound was still fresh in her heart even twenty years later.

“How did you and Daniel meet?” Lindsay asked, wrenching Rebecca back to the present.

Rebecca wiped her eyes and cleared her throat before she spoke. “We knew each other our whole lives.”

“So how did you start dating?”

“At a singing.”

“A what?” Lindsay tilted her head in question.

“A singing is a social gathering young people have on weekends. They gather in a barn and sing hymns and talk and laugh. It’s a lot of fun. Daniel invited me to ride home in his courting buggy one night, and we started seeing each other.”

Lindsay smiled. “That’s romantic too.”

Rebecca gave a little laugh. “That’s how our young people date.”

“It sounds more romantic than going to the movies or going to a dance. If you’re alone in a buggy, you can really talk and get to know each other.”

Rebecca nodded. She’d never thought about it that way. However, the girl was right. Riding around with Daniel was romantic back then. She thought he was the most wonderful man in the world, and she was so happy and humbled he’d picked her.

Her niece looked down at Rebecca’s hands. “You don’t wear a wedding ring.” She studied Rebecca. “You don’t wear any jewelry, do you?”

Rebecca shook her head. “No, we don’t. It causes pride. Men grow beards when they marry.”

“Jessica wears Mom’s wedding ring on a chain around her neck.”

Rebecca nodded. “I saw that.”

“I have Dad’s in a box in my room.” Lindsay ate another cookie and drank more iced tea. She suddenly looked over at Rebecca and her eyes filled with tears. “I miss them so much I can’t breathe sometimes.”

Rebecca swallowed a lump in her throat and took Lindsay’s hands in hers. “When my
mamm
died, I thought I’d never make it through another day without her. But somehow, I went through my daily routine and every day it got a tiny bit easier. Over time, hurt slowly transformed from a deep chasm in my heart to a small wound. You’ll always miss your mom and dad, but someday the grief won’t hurt as much as it does now.”

Lindsay squeezed her hands. “Thank you for having us, Aunt Rebecca.”

Rebecca bit back tears. “No,” she whispered, her voice quavering with love. “Thank you.”

Rebecca watched Lindsay’s face brighten while Daniel read from the book of John. The excitement in her niece’s pretty face warmed her heart. Grace and Philip must have taken the girls to church and taught them about God’s love. Rebecca hoped their faith would comfort them during this difficult time.

Once Daniel finished reading the Scripture, they bowed their heads in silent prayer.

After praying, Rebecca caught Lindsay’s glance. “I’m going to go check on your sister.”

Lindsay pushed out her chair and stood. “I’ll come too.”

They found Jessica leaning on the pasture fence and staring out at the Esh farm in the distance. Rebecca sidled up by her, and Jessica cleared her throat and swiped her glistening cheeks.

“I remember being blinded by grief when my mother died,” Rebecca whispered, looping her arm around Jessica’s shoulders. Her niece started to pull away, and Rebecca pulled her closer. “Some days I thought I couldn’t get out of bed, but I pushed on. It may seem impossible, but the pain in your heart will ease. You will get through this.”

Jessica faced her, fresh tears flooding her eyes and streaming down her pink cheeks. “I miss them so much.” Her voice croaked. She fell into Rebecca’s arms and sobbed on her shoulder.

“I know, Jessica, I know,” Rebecca whispered into her hair. “But I’m here. I’ll help you as much as you let me.”

Lindsay took Rebecca’s hand in hers and squeezed it while big round tears shimmered on her cheeks.

Closing her eyes, Rebecca held her breath and hoped she could be the strength that these poor, lost souls craved so desperately.

2 cups sugar

2 cups finely chopped hickory nuts

6 egg whites

3–1/4 Tbsp flour

Beat egg whites lightly, add sugar, nut kernels, and four. Drop on greased tins and bake at 350 degrees for 12–15 minutes or until lightly brown.

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J
essica, it’s time to get up,” a voice in the distance said. “Jessica, you have ten minutes to get dressed and eat breakfast before Barry Holden picks us up.”

Jessica moaned and rolled over. It couldn’t be time to get up. She’d just fallen asleep only a few minutes ago after spending hours staring at the ceiling and wiping her tears. She missed her parents so much that her body ached. Her grief had kept her awake for hours and haunted her with nightmares. Through her dreams she’d relived the night they died over and over again.

No, it couldn’t possibly be time to get up. She pulled the quilt over her head. It was so nice and warm under the covers. Although it was May, the morning was still a bit chilly.

“Jessica, please,” the voice said again. “You must get up and get ready for work.”

“Work?” Jessica’s eyes flew open, revealing Rebecca’s face smiling down at her. “What time is it?” She rubbed her eyes, which burned from lack of sleep.

“Six.” Rebecca pushed a lock of hair back from Jessica’s face. “Your sister is downstairs eating.”

“Why do I have to go to work?” Jessica folded her arms across the quilt. “I’m not Amish.”

“You’re a member of this household, and we all work. We have allowed you some of your English ways, now it is time for you to try some of our ways.” Her aunt stood. “Now, please get up. Daniel will be ready to leave very soon, and he doesn’t like to wait.”

Jessica rolled her eyes.

“Please, Jessica.” Her aunt frowned. “I know you aren’t happy to be here, but I hope you’ll make the best of it. We’re trying very hard to make you and Lindsay feel welcome.”

With guilt filtering through her, Jessica sighed and sat up. She had to make the best of this until Trisha could get custody of her and her sister. “Fine. I’ll get dressed.”

“Thank you.” Her aunt started for the door and then stopped, facing her. “If you don’t want to go to the furniture store then you can come with Lindsay and me to the bakery. Those are your only options.”

Wow
,
what a choice
, she thought with sarcasm. “It’s fine,” Jessica said, climbing from the bed. “I really have no interest in baking your Amish stuff, whatever it is.”

Rebecca smiled, as if she hadn’t heard the sarcastic comment. “You’d be surprised. In fact, I think you’d rather like the pastries if you gave them a chance.”

Yeah. Right
. Jessica opened the closet. “I’ll be down in a minute.”

“Would you like something to eat?”

Jessica yanked a pair of jeans from a hanger while she considered the question. Her stomach was still sour from the sleepless night of nightmares. “No, thanks. I’m not hungry.”

“What should I pack you for lunch?” Rebecca asked.

“Nothing.” Jessica waved her off. “I have some cash. I can find a place to eat.”

Rebecca folded her arms. “It’s wasteful to buy lunch when we have a refrigerator full of food.”

Jessica scowled. “I think I can spend five bucks on lunch without feeling guilty.”

“That’s your choice. I’ll tell Daniel that you’re on your way.” Rebecca disappeared through the door, gently closing it behind her.

Jessica shook her head while pulling on her favorite lowrider jeans. She then layered on two knit shirts. She couldn’t believe she was getting dressed to go to work in a furniture store. Never in her life had she imagined she’d wind up in Lancaster County.

Well, I better make the best of it
.

Sighing, she combed her hair up into a ponytail and then checked it with a mirror from her compact. She missed her vanity and its large mirror. She then put on makeup, taking time to apply foundation, powder, blush, and eye makeup, including eye shadow, eyeliner, and mascara.

I might as well look my best
.

Opening up her jewelry box, she picked out her favorite gold hoop earrings, cross necklace, and a handful of bangle bracelets. She then slid on her favorite black ankle boots. After brushing her teeth, she grabbed her purse and hurried downstairs.

Reaching the bottom step, she found Rebecca, Daniel, and Lindsay waiting, all three of them frowning.

“I’m ready,” Jessica sang, ignoring their frosty glares.

Daniel’s stare hardened and then he spouted off in Pennsylvania Dutch to Rebecca, who sighed and nodded.

He then turned back to Jessica and pointed at her clothing. “Please go remove the jewelry and take off some of your eye makeup,” he said.

“What?” Jessica asked with a gasp.

“I can’t have you showing up at my father’s store wearing all of that jewelry and eye makeup.” He shook his head again. “It wouldn’t be proper.”

“Are you serious?” Jessica’s voice rose to a screech.

“
Ya
.” He nodded with emphasis. “Very serious.” He glanced at the clock on the wall and then tapped his foot with impatience. “Barry will be here any minute. We must hurry.”

Jessica looked to Rebecca and shot her a look pleading for her support. “Do I really have to change?”

Scowling, Rebecca nodded. “Please do as Daniel asked.”

“This is ridiculous!” Jessica threw her hands up with frustration. “I’m not Amish!”

“Jessica, please,” Rebecca said.

“This is outrageous!” Jessica’s voice rose an octave as she stomped up the stairs. She tossed all of her jewelry back into the jewelry box, except for her mother’s wedding ring that she wore on the chain around her neck. She then grabbed a tissue and wiped off the eye makeup before stomping back down the stairs.

Her uncle, aunt, and sister were all waiting for her and still frowning.

“Let’s roll,” Jessica muttered before heading out the front door and walking down the stairs. An old white Ford van sat in the driveway, and she assumed it was their ride.

Daniel, Rebecca, and Lindsay filed down the front steps. Daniel opened the back door of the van and greeted the driver. He then climbed into the front passenger seat while Rebecca and Lindsay climbed in the back.

Jessica glowered while climbing all the way into the back. While she stared out the side window, Rebecca pointed out landmarks, such as homes of relatives or close friends. The terrain was hilly, and the roads were windy and rural. The scenery was the opposite of the flat, well-developed land Jessica was used to in Virginia Beach.

About two miles up the road, they came to a farm with a cluster of large houses set back off the road and surrounded by four barns, along with a beautiful lush, green pasture.

“Daniel’s parents own that property,” Rebecca said. “His brother Timothy lives in one of the houses, and his sister Sarah and her husband live in another. The bakery is the fourth house. It’s the one closest to the road.”

“Wow,” Lindsay said.

“Daniel and his five siblings grew up in the biggest house, which is where his parents still are,” Rebecca said as the van steered onto the long dirt road leading to the property.

The van stopped in front of a large, white clapboard farmhouse with a sweeping wrap-around porch. A large sign with “Kauffman Amish Bakery” in old-fashioned letters hung above the door.

Out behind the building was a fenced-in play area where a few of the Kauffman grandchildren ran around playing tag and climbing on a huge wooden swing set. Beyond it was a fenced pasture. The three other large farmhouses and four barns were set back beyond the pasture.

A large paved parking lot sat adjacent to the building.

“This is the bakery,” Rebecca said.

“It’s huge,” Jessica muttered with awe.

“Believe it or not, that parking lot is packed at the height of the tourist season,” Rebecca said as she wrenched open the door.

“We better head out,” Rebecca said, glancing at Lindsay. “We’re a couple of minutes late, and they’re already baking for the day.” She met Jessica’s gaze. “Have a good day. I’ll see you tonight.”

“You too,” Jessica mumbled.

After Rebecca climbed out, Lindsay leaned over the seat toward Jessica. “Be nice to Uncle Daniel.”

Jessica rolled her eyes. “Get lost.”

Rebecca and Daniel spoke in soft voices in Pennsylvania Dutch before sharing a quick kiss. Once Rebecca and Lindsay had disappeared up the stairs to the bakery, the van backed out of the parking lot and headed back down to the main road.

After turning onto Route 340, a one-story building with a sign declaring Kauffman & Yoder Amish Furniture came into view, about a mile from the large Kauffman farm.

“This is the store,” Daniel said as the driver maneuvered into the parking lot.

“Kauffman and Yoder?” she asked.

The driver parked at the back of the store.

“My father built it with his best friend, Elmer Yoder, before I was born,” Daniel said. “They’d grown up together and always dreamed of having a business. They both are master carpenters.”

“Oh.” Grabbing her purse, she climbed from the van.

Daniel thanked the driver, and the van motored back to the main road.

Glancing across the parking lot, Jessica spotted a late-model four-door Chevrolet pickup truck.

“Who owns the truck?” she asked Daniel while he sauntered back to her. “Is that another driver?”

“No, it’s Jake Miller,” he said. “Elmer’s grandson.”

“How come he gets a truck while the rest of you have to pay a driver?” She followed him to the back door of the shop.

“He’s not Amish.” He held the door open for her.

She stared at him. “How can that be?”

“Was your mother Amish?” he retorted, his gaze almost accusing.

“No.” She padded through the door.

“Being Amish is our heritage. It’s a very serious commitment to a way of life. It’s not like picking out your shoes.” Daniel stepped in and closed the door behind him. His tone had an edge to it, making her wonder where the resentment had come from. Was he going to hold a grudge against her due to the jewelry and makeup?

“Let me introduce you around,” he said, gesturing into the building.

Jessica scanned the large shop, seeing several men building furniture. All wore the Plain clothes. She spotted beautifully designed dining room sets, bedroom suites, entertainment centers, hutches, end tables, desks, and coffee tables. She took in the craftsmanship and silently marveled at their talent. The pieces were works of art, not just furniture.

Hammers banged, saw blades whirled, and air compressors hummed. The sweet scent of wood and stain filled her nostrils.

A wave of grief washed over her. Dad would’ve loved seeing the shop and talking with the men. He’d enjoyed working with wood in his spare time. He had an elaborate woodshop set up in the garage with a sea of complicated tools.

Jessica had spent many weekends in the workshop behind the house chatting and watching Dad build furniture. They would talk for hours. He’d share stories of traveling around Europe and Africa and his exciting adventures. She loved listening to his stories, which were the inspiration for her dreams of world travels.

She’d give anything to talk to him again.

Why, oh, why did her parents have to die?

With tears threatening, she suppressed thoughts of her father and plastered a smile on her face while the men came over to meet her.

“This is my niece, Jessica,” Daniel said, introducing her.

He rattled off the names of the men, and Jessica tried to commit their names to her memory. She met Daniel’s brother-in-law Peter and his brother Timothy. She shook their hands and continued to smile. A man with weather-beaten skin in Plain clothes approached, and she immediately noticed that his eyes were the same blue as Daniel’s.

“This is my father, Eli Kauffman,” Daniel said. “
Dat
, this is Jessica. I don’t think you had a chance to meet her the other night. It was a little bit chaotic at the house.”

“It’s very nice to meet you.” Eli shook her hand.

“Thank you,” she said. “It’s nice to meet you, too, Mr. Kauffman.”

Another older man approached. “Welcome to our shop. I’m Milton Yoder.”

“Thank you, Mr. Yoder.” She shook his hand.

“Let’s take you up front so you can see your desk.” Daniel placed his hand on her back, steering her through the shop. “It gets busy, but you can handle it.”

They maneuvered through the shop to the front of the store, which consisted of large glass windows and samples of furniture. She ran her finger over a mirrored double dresser, silently marveling at the intricate detailed pattern in the wood.

“This is gorgeous,” she whispered. “My dad would’ve loved this.”

“Your
dat
was a carpenter?” he asked.

She nodded. “Not by trade, but he loved woodworking. He made my sister and me some really nice shelves for our rooms. He also made my mom a beautiful hope chest when they were first married. We saved them in your shed. When I have a house of my own someday, I’ll use them in my room.”

Daniel rubbed his beard as his expression softened. “I’m sure you must think of your parents often.”

“All the time.” Clearing her throat in order to suppress the swelling lump, she turned toward the front counter. A small desk covered in books and stacks of paper was located directly behind it. An old style push-button phone sat on the desk with a long, coiled cord. She guessed the long cord served to allow her to lean on the counter if a customer came in while she was on the phone. “I guess this is my station?”